Boat

ABSTRACT

A cockpit ( 2 ) at the stern of a boat may be covered in two stages. Firstly, a first canopy system ( 3 ) of the bimini type is deployed. Then a second canopy system ( 4 ) is deployed and has a frame member ( 411 ) which can be pivoted rearwardly over the deployed first canopy system ( 3 ) so as to allow the second canopy system to be deployed after the first canopy system. A canopy ( 42 ) of the second canopy system covers a portion of the cockpit deck behind the portion covered by the bimini canopy ( 32 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a boat, such as a motor cruiser, andto the ability to provide temporary shelter to users of the boat on adeck area of the boat, such as a cockpit at the stem of the boat.

A known temporary canopy system which may be deployed for use and thenstowed away again when no longer needed is a so-called “bimini” canopysystem. It may be used to provide a roof or awning to provide shelterfrom sun and rain. An existing bimini arrangement used by SealineInternational Limited has the bimini positioned at the front of acockpit so that the bimini awning may be unfurled so as to run backwardsfrom the roof of a cabin at the front of the cockpit area. Thedeployment mechanism of the bimini comprises an inverted U-shaped mainframe member the bottoms of the legs of which are pivoted to thesuperstructure at the sides of the cockpit behind the cabin. As the mainframe member is pivoted backwards from its stowed position in which itleans against the rear of the cabin, it pulls backwards the rear edge ofthe bimini awning. The front edge of the bimini awning is secured to arear upper lip of the cabin. When the awning is fully deployed, the mainframe member leans backwards rather than leaning forwards (as in itsstowed position) and is held in this deployed position by straps whichare connected between the rear edge of the bimini awning and thesuperstructure at the rear of the cockpit. By pulling these straps taut,the bimini awning itself is made taut and stable. A secondary, smallerframe member of inverted U-shape is used to assist in deploying thebimini awning and holding it in shape. The bottoms of the legs of thesecondary frame member are pivoted to midportions of the legs of themain frame member on the forwards sides thereof, so that as the mainframe member is pivoted rearwardly to be deployed the secondary framemember pivots forwardly relative to the main frame member such that uponfull deployment the top bar of the subsidiary frame member supports amidportion of the bimini canvas.

To stow away the bimini, the mechanism is folded forwards against therear face of the cabin and the bimini canvas is stowed into a storagebag along the top rear edge of the cabin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aim of the invention is to improve on the existing bimini arrangementby providing an overall canopy system that is more versatile in offeringmore user permutations when being used.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda boat comprising:

a hull having a deck area;

a superstructure above the deck area;

a first canopy system mounted on the superstructure and comprising afirst frame pivotable rearwardly from a stowed position to a deployedposition and a first canopy supportable by the first frame when thefirst frame is in its deployed position so that the first canopy coversa forward portion of the deck area; and

a second canopy system mounted on the superstructure and comprising asecond frame pivotable rearwardly from a stowed position and arranged topass externally over the deployed first frame to a deployed position anda second canopy supportable by the second frame when the second frame isin its deployed position so that the second canopy covers a rearwardportion of the deck area.

If it is only desired to cover the forward portion of the deck area,then only the first canopy system needs to be deployed into position. Ifboth the forward and rearward portions of the deck area are to becovered, then both the first and second canopy systems should bedeployed and the first and second canopies will in combination providethe desired coverage of the deck area. The second frame of the secondcanopy system is designed so that when it is deployed over thealready-deployed first canopy system it will pass externally rearwardlyover the deployed first frame without clashing therewith. This benefitworks in reverse, in that, if the rearward portion of the deck area isno longer to be covered by the second canopy, the second frame may bestowed away again by passing back over the first canopy system which isbeing left in its deployed configuration.

In our preferred embodiments, the first canopy system is of the biminitype, and the second canopy system is of the tent type with side (andrear) panels in addition to a roof panel. In this way, the overalleffect may be that the roof panel of the first canopy system, and theroof panel and the side and rear panels of the second canopy system, acttogether to close off the deck area from unwanted access from the rearand the sides.

Preferably, the pivot axis of the second frame is lower than the pivotaxis of the first frame, and is preferably also to the rear of the firstframe's pivot axis, as this makes it easier to ensure that the secondframe can pass over the deployed first frame without clashing with thefirst frame.

In our preferred embodiment, the first frame comprises a first arch-likemember having first legs at the bottom of which are first pivots, thesecond frame comprises a second arch-like member having second legs atthe bottom of which are second pivots, and the second pivots areoutboard of the first pivots. In most practical configurations, thesecond legs are longer than the first legs.

Preferably, the first frame further comprises a third arch-like memberhaving third legs pivotably connected at their bases to middle portionsof the first legs, the third legs are shorter than the first legs, andthe first and third arch-like members are linked by aseparation-limiting device so that as the first frame deploys the extentof forward pivoting of the third archlike member relative to therearwardly-pivoting first arch-like member is limited. Thus the firstcanopy system can be of the bimini type. The separation-limiting deviceis usually one or more straps which may be given predetermined lengthscorresponding to the desired degree of separation between the first andthird arch-like members.

Additionally, it is preferable that the first and second frames whenboth deployed are linked by a separation-limiting device so that thedeployed position of the second frame is set relative to the deployedposition of the first frame. Again, straps may be used. Thisseparation-limiting device may be permanently fitted to the first andsecond frames, or else it may be fitted between the frames only when thesecond frame has been pivoted to approximately the usual deployedposition. The separation-limiting device is then fitted in place andserves to define the position of the second frame more precisely. Theseparation-limiting device (e.g. straps) may be adjustable so that theprecise position of the second frame can be adjusted slightly.

In our preferred embodiment, the first frame nests inside the secondframe when both frames are in their stowed positions. This gives a neatvisual appearance with the two frames compactly fitted inside oneanother.

In our current embodiment, the canopy systems are mounted at the rear ofan arch-like portion of the superstructure. An alternative possibilitywould be for the canopy systems to be mounted at the rear of a cabinforming part of the superstructure.

The arch-like portion of the superstructure may be a freestanding arch,such as a radar-carrying arch. The arch may be of the type that leansforwards in order to look visually attractive.

In our preferred embodiment, the arch-like portion of the superstructurehas a forwardly-sloping rear surface against which the first and secondframes rest when in their stowed positions. When the first and secondframes nest inside one another, the result is a visually-pleasingcompact stowage arrangement. The beam at the top of the arch-likeportion of the superstructure may open up to stow away the first canopy.

When deployed, the second canopy may simply butt up against the deployedfirst canopy. However, in our preferred embodiment, the first canopy isdetachably securable to the second canopy along the junctiontherebetween. For example, the two canopies may be zipped together. Byjoining together the deployed canopies, rain is less likely to passthrough between the canopies onto the deck area.

Preferably, the first canopy is fixed to the first frame. Thus the firstcanopy will automatically deploy when the first frame is deployed, asoccurs in the bimini type of canopy system.

The second canopy may be stowed separately, e.g. under a seat in thecockpit area, and is simply detachably secured to the deployed secondframe.

In our preferred embodiment, the first canopy comprises a roof portionwith zero or small side curtain portions, such that there are gapsbetween the side edges of the first canopy and the relevant parts of thesuperstructure positioned below.

By way of contrast, it is preferred that the second canopy has a roofportion and side curtain portions. Additionally, there may be a rearcurtain portion. The rear and side curtain portions assist in protectingthe deck area against unauthorised access when, for example, the boat isnot being used. Accordingly, it is preferred that in the deployedposition of the second frame with the roof portion of the second canopysupported on the second frame the side curtain portions extend down toand are detachably securable to a wall structure at the perimeter of thedeck area. In this way, the security of the deck area may be improved bysealing off access to the deck area from the rear and the sides.

Preferably, the side curtain portions of the second canopy extendforwards underneath the side edges of the first canopy. Thus the sidecurtain portions of the second canopy help to fill in the side gapsunderneath the edges of the roof panel of the first canopy.

Preferably, the tops of the side curtain portions are detachablysecurable to the first canopy. This may be achieved, for example, bysimply zipping together the first and second canopies along the sideedge of the roof panel of the first canopy, along the rear edge of thatroof panel and then along the other side edge of that roof panel.

The side curtain portions may extend forwards at least 50%, 80% or 90%of the distance to the front edge of the first canopy. They may evenextend all the way to the front edge of the first canopy.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of operation a boat in accordance with the first aspect of thepresent invention, the method comprising deploying the first frame withthe first canopy fixed thereto, deploying the second frame, and fittingthe second canopy onto the second frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will now bedescribed with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rear or stern of a boat inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the first frame of thefirst canopy system deployed.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the first canopypositioned on the deployed first frame.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing both the first frame andthe second frame deployed, but with the first and second canopiesomitted for the sake of clarity.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the first and secondcanopies fitted to the deployed first and second frames.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIG. 1, the first and second canopy systems are in their stowedpositions. A superstructure 1 is mounted on the hull (not shown) of aboat. The superstructure 1 includes side walls 11 and a rear wall 12around the perimeter of a cockpit 2. The superstructure also includes aforwardly-sloping radar arch 13 which is freestanding. The sides 131 andtop 132 of the arch define a forwardly-sloping rear surface 133 on whichthe first and second canopy systems are mounted.

The first canopy system is more clearly seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. It is ofthe bimini type. The first canopy system 3 has a frame 31 comprisingmain and secondary frame members 311,312 made of stainless steel tubing.Each frame member 311,312 is of a generally inverted U-shape. Thehorizontal bars at the tops of the frame members 311,312 are connectedtogether by canvas straps 313 which set the maximum separation that mayoccur between the frame members 311,312. At the bottom of each of thelegs of the main frame member 311 is a hinge 314 which enables the mainframe member 311 to pivot rearwardly from the position shown in FIG. 1to the position shown in FIG. 2. At middle portions of the legs of theframe member 311 are further hinges 315 to which are pivotally connectedthe legs of the secondary frame member 312. Thus, as the bimini-typefirst canopy system 3 deploys, the main frame member 311 pivotsrearwardly about the hinges 314, and the secondary frame member 312pivots forwards relative to the main frame member 311 about the hinges315 until its relative forward pivoting is limited by the straps 313.

In the stowed position shown in FIG. 1, the frame members 311,312 lieagainst the sloping rear surface 133. A bimini canopy 32 (visible inFIG. 3) is permanently fixed to the frame 31. When stowed as in FIG. 1,the bimini canopy 32 is stored within the top 132 of the radar arch 13.As the first canopy system 3 is deployed, the bimini canopy 32 isunfurled or pulled out of a bag in the radar arch lid in which it isstored, so that the bimini canopy is automatically deployed as the frame31 is deployed. The bimini canopy 32 is not shown in FIG. 2 for the sakeof clarity.

The overall deployed configuration of the first canopy system 3 is shownin FIG. 3. The bimini canopy 32 comprises a roof panel 321 and there isonly a minimal amount of downwardly-projecting rear or side portions. Inthis way, gaps are present between the side edges of the roof panel 321and the sloping rear surface 133 of the radar arch 13.

The rear edge of the roof panel 321 is fitted to the horizontal bar ofthe main frame member 311. The front edge of the roof panel 321 isattached to the top 132 of the radar arch 13. When deployed, the biminicanopy is pulled taut by straps 33 which extend down from the rear edgeof the roof panel 321 to the radar arch 13. These straps 33 would bereleased in order to return the first canopy system 3 from its deployedconfiguration of FIG. 3 to the stowed configuration of FIG. 1.

Notionally projecting downwards the area of the roof panel 321, it maybe seen that the deployed first canopy system covers a correspondingarea of the deck of the cockpit 2.

There is still an area of the cockpit deck behind this covered areawhich is left exposed, and this rearward area of cockpit deck may becovered by the second canopy system, as will now be described.

The second canopy system 4 comprises a frame 41 in the form of a singleframe member 411 of generally inverted U-shape. The bottoms of the legsof the frame member 411 are pivoted by hinges 412 to the sloping rearsurface 133 of the radar arch 13. It may be seen that the hinges 412 areto the rear of and are outboard of the hinges 314. The legs of the framemember 411 are longer than the legs of the main frame member 311, suchthat when the two canopy systems are stowed (as in FIG. 1) the frame 31nests neatly inside the frame 41.

The positioning of the hinges 412 and the extra length of the legs ofthe frame member 411 also enable the frame member 411 to pivot up andover the deployed frame 31 without clashing with the frame 31, as theframe member 411 moves from its stowed position shown in FIG. 3 to itsdeployed position shown in FIG. 4.

The deployed position of the frame member 411 is set by straps 413 whichthe user fits between the horizontal bar of the frame member 411 and thehorizontal bar of the main frame member 311. The length of the straps413 may be adjusted to set the caused deployed position of the framemember 411 relative to the frame 31.

Then, a canopy 42 is fitted to the frame 41. The canopy 42 comprises aroof panel 421, two side panels 422 and a rear panel 423 which togetherform a tent-like structure. The canopy 42 may be stowed, for example,under a seat in the cockpit 2 and is taken out and fitted in positionwhen it is needed for use. The canopy 42 is releasably secured to thebimini canopy 32, e.g. by zipping together along the sides of the roofpanel 321 and along the rear edge of the roof panel 321.

Thus the roof panel 421 extends from the horizontal bar of the framemember 411 to the horizontal bar of the main frame member 311. The loweredges of the side panels 422 and rear panel 423 are attached to the sidewalls 11 and rear wall 12 of the superstructure 1 by a plurality of studfixings 424, only some of which are labelled for reasons of clarity.

The side panels 422 extend forwards under the side edges of the roofpanel 321 in order to fill in the side gaps under the roof panel 321.Transparent windows may be provided in the side and rear panels 422,423.

By considering a notional downward projection of the canopy 42 in FIG.5, it may be appreciated that the canopy 42 covers an area of thecockpit deck to the rear of the area covered by the bimini canopy 32.

These two deck areas of the cockpit that are covered effectivelycomprise all of the cockpit deck to the rear of the radar arch 13. Thevolume above the two areas of the cockpit deck is effectively enclosedby a combination of the bimini canopy 32 and the canopy 42. This canprovide added security against intruders when the boat is not beingused.

In sunny weather, or when only a small amount of rain is expected, onlythe first canopy system 3 needs to be deployed. When more rain isexpected, the second canopy system 4 may be deployed in addition to thefirst canopy system 3.

It is possible to deploy the second canopy system 4 when the firstcanopy system 3 is already deployed because the path of movement of theframe 41 is outside the envelope of space occupied by the deployed firstcanopy system 3. In this way, the frame 41 does not clash with thedeployed frame 31 as the frame 41 pivots rearwardly from the positionshown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 4.

The deployment processes may be reversed in order to stow away again thesecond canopy system 4, and then to stow away again the first canopysystem 3.

The two deck areas of the cockpit which are covered by the canopies arecontiguous, because in this embodiment the canopies 32,42 are securedtogether by being zipped together, so that there is no gap between thedeck areas which are covered. In our illustrated embodiment, the twoareas of the cockpit deck that are covered are at the rear of thecockpit. In alternative embodiments, the covered areas could comprisesubstantially all of the cockpit deck area rather than just the rearpart.

It will be appreciated that the above description is non-limiting andrefers to the currently-preferred form of the invention. Manymodifications may be made within the scope of the invention Althoughfeatures believed to be of particular significance are identified in theappended claims, the applicant claims protection for any novel featureor idea described herein and/or illustrated in the drawings, whether ornot emphasis has been placed thereon.

1. A boat comprising: a hull having a deck area; a superstructure abovethe deck area; a first canopy system mounted on the superstructure andcomprising a first frame pivotable rearwardly from a stowed position toa deployed position and a first canopy supportable by the first framewhen the first frame is in its deployed position so that the firstcanopy covers a forward portion of the deck area; and a second canopysystem mounted on the superstructure and comprising a second framepivotable rearwardly from a stowed position and arranged to passexternally over the deployed first frame to a deployed position and asecond canopy supportable by the second frame when the second frame isin its deployed position so that the second canopy covers a rearwardportion of the deck area.
 2. A boat according to claim 1, wherein thepivot axis of the second frame is lower than the pivot axis of the firstframe.
 3. A boat according to claim 1, wherein the pivot axis of thesecond frame is rearward of the pivot axis of the first frame.
 4. A boataccording to claim 1, wherein the first frame comprises a firstarch-like member having first legs at the bottom of which are firstpivots, the second frame comprises a second arch-like member havingsecond legs at the bottom of which are second pivots, and the secondpivots are outboard of the first pivots.
 5. A boat according to claim 4,wherein the second legs are longer than the first legs.
 6. A boataccording to claim 4, wherein the first frame further comprises a thirdarch-like member having third legs pivotably connected at their bases tomiddle portions of the first legs, the third legs are shorter than thefirst legs, and the first and third arch-like members are linked by aseparation-limiting device so that as the first frame deploys the extentof forward pivoting of the third arch-like member relative to therearwardly-pivoting first arch-like member is limited.
 7. A boataccording to claim 1, wherein the first and second frames when bothdeployed are linked by a separation-limiting device so that the deployedposition of the second frame is set relative to the deployed position ofthe first frame.
 8. A boat according to claim 1, wherein the first framenests inside the second frame when both frames are in their stowedpositions.
 9. A boat according to claim 1, wherein the canopy systemsare mounted at the rear of an arch-like portion of the superstructure.10. A boat according to claim 9, wherein the arch-like portion of thesuperstructure is a freestanding arch.
 11. A boat according to claim 1,wherein the superstructure has a forwardly-sloping rear surface againstwhich the first and second frames rest when in their stowed positions.12. A boat according to claim 1, wherein the first canopy is detachablysecurable to the second canopy along the junction therebetween.
 13. Aboat according to claim 1, wherein the first canopy is fixed to thefirst frame.
 14. A boat according to claim 1, wherein the second canopyis detachably securable to the second frame in the deployed position ofthe second frame.
 15. A boat according to claim 1, wherein the secondcanopy has a roof portion and side curtain portions.
 16. A boataccording to claim 15, wherein in the deployed position of the secondframe with the roof portion of the second canopy supported on the secondframe the side curtain portions extend down to and are detachablysecurable to a wall structure at the perimeter of the deck area.
 17. Aboat according to claim 15, wherein the side curtain portions of thesecond canopy extend forwards underneath the side edges of the firstcanopy.
 18. A boat according to claim 17, wherein the tops of the sidecurtain portions are detachably securable to the first canopy.
 19. Aboat according to claim 17, wherein the side curtain portions extendforwards at least 50%, 80% or 90% of the distance to the front edge ofthe first canopy.
 20. A method of operating a boat including a hullhaving a deck area; a superstructure above the deck area; a first canopysystem mounted on the superstructure and comprising a first framepivotable rearwardly from a stowed position to a deployed position and afirst canopy supportable by the first frame when the first frame is inits deployed position so that the first canopy covers a forward portionof the deck area; and a second canopy system mounted on thesuperstructure and comprising a second frame pivotable rearwardly from astowed position and arranged to pass externally over the deployed firstframe to a deployed position and a second canopy supportable by thesecond frame when the second frame is in its deployed position so thatthe second canopy covers a rearward portion of the deck area, the methodcomprising deploying the first frame with the first canopy fixedthereto, deploying the second frame, and fitting the second canopy ontothe second frame.
 21. (canceled)
 22. (canceled)
 23. A boat according toclaim 2, wherein the pivot axis of the second frame is rearward of thepivot axis of the first frame.
 24. A boat according to claim 5, whereinthe first frame further comprises a third arch-like member having thirdlegs pivotably connected at their bases to middle portions of the firstlegs, the third legs are shorter than the first legs, and the first andthird arch-like members are linked by a separation-limiting device sothat as the first frame deploys the extent of forward pivoting of thethird arch-like member relative to the rearwardly-pivoting firstarch-like member is limited.
 25. A boat according to claim 16, whereinthe side curtain portions of the second canopy extend forwardsunderneath the side edges of the first canopy.
 26. A boat according toclaim 25, wherein the side curtain portions extend forwards at least50%, 80% or 90% of the distance to the front edge of the first canopy.27. A boat according to claim 18, wherein the side curtain portionsextend forwards at least 50%, 80% or 90% of the distance to the frontedge of the first canopy.